The Federal Government of Nigeria and Ericsson are launching the Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon to strengthen digital skills among young Nigerians. This initiative is part of a broader government push to equip youths with practical capabilities that match the demands of technology-driven industries.
The hackathon is scheduled to begin on February 11, 2026, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. It will run for four months and is coordinated by the Office of the Vice President. The programme is a key phase in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Government and Ericsson.
The core objective is to address gaps in technology skills among the youth. Participants will receive hands-on mentoring and engage in an eight-week acceleration phase designed to enhance their understanding of modern digital tools. The focus areas include 5G technology, Internet of Things, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and sustainable technology solutions.
Participation is open to a wide range of innovators across Nigeria. University students, startup founders, and young professionals with innovative ideas are invited to apply. The official registration portal will open from February 11 to March 10, 2026. Eligible applicants can register through the dedicated site provided by the organisers.
The structure of the hackathon ensures that participants not only learn theory but also apply their skills to real-world problems. They will be guided to develop technology solutions in key sectors such as digital inclusion, smart cities, agritech, and sustainability. Successful teams can gain access to additional support, including accelerators and incubation programmes that help scale promising solutions.
The initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The government has prioritised digital transformation and youth empowerment as crucial elements of national development. By focusing on technology integration, the administration aims to reduce unemployment among young people and position Nigeria as a competitive player in the digital economy.
Officials overseeing the hackathon emphasise the strategic importance of the collaboration. Statements from the government underscore its commitment to closing skills gaps and fostering innovation. Meanwhile, Ericsson’s leadership highlights the value of partnerships that support digital ecosystem growth. Majda Lahlou Kassi, Head of Ericsson West and Southern Africa, affirmed the company’s pride in contributing to Nigeria’s digital transformation through targeted skills development programmes.
Included in the initiative is the Ericsson Educate programme. This component aims to support policymakers and regulators in the information and communications technology sector. By engaging these stakeholders, the government and Ericsson hope to promote policies that facilitate sustainable digital growth and address connectivity challenges nationwide.
The Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon represents a deliberate effort to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical technology skills. It offers a platform for young Nigerians to innovate with purpose, tackle pressing national challenges, and create solutions with market and societal impact.
This programme complements other federal efforts to build a skilled workforce capable of driving national progress. Recent government initiatives have included digital literacy campaigns and financial literacy training aimed at empowering broad segments of the population. Collectively, these efforts reflect a coordinated strategy to develop human capital and strengthen Nigeria’s economic future.
The hackathon’s success will be measured by the quality of solutions developed and the participants’ ability to transition from prototype to implementation. The initiative also seeks to inspire more young Nigerians to pursue careers in technology and innovation, fueling long-term economic resilience and competitiveness.
